Method of allocating resources in wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

A method of allocating resources in a wireless communication system includes configuring priorities for a plurality of logical channels according to a first criterion, wherein each of the plurality of logical channels has each priority and allocating resources to a subset of the plurality of logical channels according to a second criterion to transfer data through a transport channel, wherein the subset of the plurality of logical channels is configured with same priority. It is possible to reliably provide various services through a method of processing radio bearers having the equal priorities.

This application is a national stage entry of International ApplicationNo. PCT/KR2008/003401, filed Jun. 17, 2008, and claims the benefit ofKorean Application No. 10-2007-0059524, filed on Jun. 18, 2007, and U.S.Application No. 60/945,580, filed Jun. 21, 2007, each of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes asif fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wireless communication process, andmore particularly, to a method of allocating resources in a wirelesscommunication system.

BACKGROUND ART

A third generation partnership project (3GPP) mobile system based on awideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) radio access technologyhas been widely deployed all over the world. A high-speed downlinkpacket access (HSDPA), which is a first step in the evolution of theWCDMA, provides the 3GPP with a radio access technology having highcompetitiveness. However, since radio access technology has beencontinuously developed in view of requirements and expectations of usersand providers, evolution of a new technology in the 3GPP is required toincrease competitiveness. There are required reduced cost per bit,increased service availability, flexible use of a frequency band, asimple structure and an open interface, and adequate power consumptionof a user equipment.

A wireless communication system needs to provide various radio servicessuch as a web browsing service, a voice over internet protocol (VoIP)service, in addition to a voice service. In order to provide variousradio services, at least one radio bearer has to be set up between abase station and a user equipment. Radio bearers can be configured withdifferent priorities or equal priorities. For example, although thevoice service uses a relatively small amount of transmission rate butneeds to minimize transmission delay. On the contrary, a web browsingservice needs a relatively large amount of transmission rate but doesnot matter transmission delay. A plurality of radio bearers areconfigured so as to support various applications and concurrentlyprovide various radio services. The plurality of radio bearers may havedifferent priorities or equal priorities like in a case where aplurality of web browsers are concurrently provided.

A method is sought for efficiently allocating resources to the pluralityof radio bearers having priorities.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The present invention provides a method of allocating resources to aplurality of radio bearers having equal priorities.

The present invention also provides a method of allocating resources toa plurality of logical channels having equal priorities.

Technical Solution

In an aspect, a method of allocating resources in a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The method includes configuringpriorities for a plurality of logical channels according to a firstcriterion, wherein each of the plurality of logical channels has eachpriority and allocating resources to a subset of the plurality oflogical channels according to a second criterion to transfer datathrough a transport channel, wherein the subset of the plurality oflogical channels is configured with same priority.

In another aspect, a method of transmitting data from an upper layer toa lower layer is provided. The method includes determining transmissionpriorities of a plurality of logical channels to transmit data of theplurality of logical channels according to a criterion, wherein theplurality of logical channels have same logical channel priorities, andtransmitting the data of the plurality of logical channels based on thedetermined transmission priorities.

In still another aspect, a method of allocating resources in a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The method includes configuring apriority for each logical channel according to a first criterion andallocating resources in a transport channel according to a secondcriterion, wherein the transport channel is mapped to a plurality oflogical channels configured with same priority.

In still another aspect, a method of allocating resources in a wirelesscommunication system is provided. The method includes configuring apriority for each logical channel according to a first criterion andallocating resources in a transport channel, the transport channel beingmapped to a plurality of logical channels configured with same priority,the plurality of logical channels having same amount of transmissiondata.

Advantageous Effects

As a communication system has been developed, there is a need to runmultiple applications and to concurrently provide various services.Specifically, when a plurality of radio bearers having equal prioritiesare concurrently configured like a case where a plurality of webbrowsers are concurrently used, quality of service may not be guaranteedif any efficient method of processing equal priorities is not available.Accordingly, it is possible to reliably provide various services througha method of processing radio bearers having the equal priorities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a wireless communication system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional split between the E-UTRANand the EPC.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing constitutional elements of a UE.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing radio protocol architecture for a userplane.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing radio protocol architecture for acontrol plane.

FIG. 6 shows mapping between downlink logical channels and downlinktransport channels.

FIG. 7 shows mapping between uplink logical channels and uplinktransport channels.

FIG. 8 shows mapping between downlink transport channels and downlinkphysical channels.

FIG. 9 shows mapping between uplink transport channels and uplinkphysical channels.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a method of transmitting data havingdifferent logical channel priorities (LCPs).

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of allocating equal amounts of transmissiondata except prioritized bit rate (PBR) allocation.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of allocating equal amounts of transmissiondata including PBR allocation.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method of enabling an RB having a lower PBR tohave a higher priority with respect to RBs having equal LCPs.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method of allocating amounts of transmission dataaccording to a ratio of a criterion except PBR allocation.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method of allocating amounts of transmission dataaccording to a ratio of a criterion including PBR allocation.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a wireless communication system. Thismay be a network structure of an E-UMTS (Evolved-Universal Mobiletelecommunications System). The E-UMTS system may be referred to as anLTE (Long-term Evolution) system. The wireless communication system canwidely be deployed to provide a variety of communication services, suchas voices, packet data, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, an E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS Terrestrial Radio AccessNetwork) includes at least one base station (BS) 20. A user equipment(UE) 10 can be fixed or mobile and can be referred to as anotherterminology, such as a MS (Mobile Station), a UT (User Terminal), a SS(Subscriber Station), a wireless device, or the like. The BS 20generally is a fixed station that communicates with the user equipment10 and can be referred to as another terminology, such as an e-NB(evolved-NodeB), a BTS (Base Transceiver System), an access point, orthe like. There are one or more cells within the coverage of the BS 20.Interfaces for transmitting user traffic or control traffic can be usedbetween BSs 20. Hereinafter, downlink means communication from the BS 20to the UE 10, and uplink means a communication from the UE 10 to the BS20.

The BSs 20 are interconnected with each other by means of an X2interface. The BSs 20 are also connected by means of the S1 interface tothe EPC (Evolved Packet Core), more specifically to the MME (MobilityManagement Entity)/SAE (System Architecture Evolution) Gateway. The S1interface supports a many-to-many relation between MME/SAE Gateway 30and the BS 20.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing functional split between the E-UTRANand the EPC. Slashed boxes depict radio protocol layers and white boxesdepict the functional entities of the control plane.

Referring to FIG. 2, a BS hosts the following functions. (1) Functionsfor Radio Resource Management such as Radio Bearer Control, RadioAdmission Control, Connection Mobility Control, Dynamic allocation ofresources to UEs in both uplink and downlink (scheduling), (2) IP(Internet Protocol) header compression and encryption of user datastream, (3) Routing of User Plane data towards S-GW, (4) Scheduling andtransmission of paging messages, (5) Scheduling and transmission ofbroadcast information, and (6) Measurement and measurement reportingconfiguration for mobility and scheduling.

The MME hosts the following functions. (1) Dispersion of paging messagesover the BSs, (2) Security control, (3) Idle state mobility control, (4)SAE bearer control, and (5) Ciphering and integrity protection ofnon-access stratum (NAS) signaling.

An SAE gateway hosts the following functions. (1) Termination of a userplane packet with respect to paging and (2) Switching of a user planefor supporting mobility of the UE.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing constitutional elements of a UE. A UE50 includes a processor 51, memory 52, a RF unit 53, a display unit 54and a user interface unit 55. Layers of the radio interface protocol areimplemented in the processor 51. The processor 51 provides a controlplane and a user plane. The function of each layer can be implemented inthe processor 51. The memory 52 is coupled to the processor 51 andstores an operating system, applications, and general files. The displayunit 54 displays a variety of information of the UE and may use awell-known element, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode. The user interface unit 55 can beconfigured with a combination of well-known user interfaces such as akeypad or touch screen. The RF unit 53 is coupled to the processor 51and transmits and/or receives radio signals.

Layers of the radio interface protocol between the user equipment andthe base station can be classified into L1 layer (a first layer), L2layer (a second layer), and L3 layer (a third layer) based on the lowerthree layers of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model that iswell-known in the related art. A physical (PHY) layer belonging to thefirst layer provides information transfer service on a physical channel.A radio resource control (RRC) layer belonging to the third layer servesto control radio resources between the user equipment and the network.The user equipment and the network exchange RRC messages via the RRClayer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing radio protocol architecture for a userplane. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing radio protocol architecture fora control plane. They illustrate the architecture of a radio interfaceprotocol between the UE and the E-UTRAN. The data plane is a protocolstack for user data transmission and the control plane is a protocolstack for control signal transmission.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a physical (PHY) layer belonging to thefirst layer offers information transfer services to upper layers on aphysical channel. The PHY layer is coupled with a MAC (Medium AccessControl) layer, i.e., an upper layer of the PHY layer, through atransport channel. Data is transferred between the MAC layer and the PHYlayer through the transport channel. Between different physical layers,i.e., the physical layer of a transmitter and the physical layer of areceiver, data are transferred through the physical channel. Thephysical channel may be modulated by orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM). The physical channel may use a time and a frequencyas radio resources.

The MAC layer in the second layer provides services to a RLC (Radio LinkControl) layer, i.e., an upper layer of the MAC layer, through a logicalchannel. The RLC layer in the second layer supports reliable datatransfer. There are three operating modes in the RLC layer, such as TM(Transparent Mode), UM (Unacknowledged Mode) and AM (Acknowledged Mode)according to a data transfer method. The AM RLC provides bidirectionaldata transmission service and supports re-transmission when the transferof a RLC PDU (Protocol Data Unit) is failed.

A PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) belonging to the second layerperforms header compression function. The PDCP layer reduces the headersize of the Internet Protocol (IP) packet so as to efficiently transmitthe IP packet.

A RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer belonging to the third layer isdefined only in the control plane. The RRC layer serves to control thelogical channel, the transport channel, and the physical channel inassociation with configuration, reconfiguration and release of radiobearers (RBs). A RB means a service provided by the second layer fordata transmission between the user equipment and the network. When a RRCconnection is established between the RRC layer of the user equipmentand the RRC layer of the network, it is called that the user equipmentis in the RRC connected mode. When a RRC connection is not establishedyet, it is called that the user equipment is in the RRC idle mode.

A NAS (Non-Access Stratum) layer belonging to the upper layer of the RRClayer serves to perform session management and mobility management.

FIG. 6 shows mapping between downlink logical channels and downlinktransport channels. FIG. 7 shows mapping between uplink logical channelsand uplink transport channels.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in downlink, a paging control channel (PCCH)can be mapped to a paging channel (PCH). A broadcast control channel(BCCH) can be mapped to a broadcast channel (BCH) or a downlink sharedchannel (DL-SCH). A common control channel (CCCH), a dedicated controlchannel (DCCH), a dedicated traffic channel (DTCH), a multicast controlchannel (MCCH) and a multicast traffic channel (MTCH) can be mapped tothe DL-SCH. The MCCH and MTCH can also be mapped to a multicast channel(MCH). In uplink, a CCCH, a DCCH and a DTCH can be mapped to a uplinkshared channel (UL-SCH).

Each logical channel type is defined by what type of information istransferred. A classification of logical channels is into two groups:control channels and traffic channels.

Control channels are used for transfer of control plane information. TheBCCH is a downlink control channel for broadcasting system controlinformation. The PCCH is a downlink channel that transfers paginginformation and is used when the network does not know the location cellof the UE. The CCCH is a channel for transmitting control informationbetween UEs and network and is used for UEs having no RRC connectionwith the network. The MCCH is a point-to-multipoint downlink channelused for transmitting multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS)control information from the network to the UE, for one or several MTCHsand is only used by UEs that receive MBMS. The DCCH is a point-to-pointbi-directional channel that transmits dedicated control informationbetween a UE and the network and is used by the UE having an RRCconnection.

Traffic channels are used for the transfer of user plane information.The DTCH is a point-to-point channel dedicated to one UE, for thetransfer of user information. The DTCH can exist in both uplink anddownlink. The MTCH is a point-to-multipoint downlink channel fortransmitting traffic data from the network to the UE and is only used byUEs that receive MBMS.

The transport channels are classified by how and with whatcharacteristics data are transferred over the radio interface. The BCHis broadcasted in the entire coverage area of the cell and has fixed,pre-defined transport format. The DL-SCH is characterized by support forhybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), support for dynamic linkadaptation by varying the modulation, coding and transmit power,possibility to be broadcast in the entire cell, possibility to usebeamforming, support for both dynamic and semi-static resourceallocation, support for UE discontinuous reception (DRX) to enable UEpower saving and support for MBMS transmission. The PCH is characterizedby support for UE discontinuous reception (DRX) to enable UE powersaving and requirement to be broadcast in the entire coverage area ofthe cell. The MCH is characterized by requirement to be broadcast in theentire coverage area of the cell, support for MBMS Single FrequencyNetwork (MBSFN) combining of MBMS transmission on multiple cells.

Uplink transport channels are a UL-SCH and a random access channel(RACH). The UL-SCH is characterised by support for dynamic linkadaptation by varying the transmit power and potentially modulation andcoding, support for HARQ and support for both dynamic and semi-staticresource allocation. The RACH is characterised by limited controlinformation and collision risk.

FIG. 8 shows mapping between downlink transport channels and downlinkphysical channels. FIG. 9 shows mapping between uplink transportchannels and uplink physical channels.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in downlink, a BCH can be mapped to aphysical broadcast channel (PBCH). A MCH can be mapped to a physicalmulticast channel (PMCH). A PCH and a DL-SCH can be mapped to a physicaldownlink shared channel (PDSCH). The PBCH carries the BCH transportblock. The PMCH carries the MCH. The PDSCH carries the DL-SCH and PCH.In uplink, a UL-SCH can be mapped to a physical uplink shared channel(PUSCH). A RACH can be mapped to a physical random access channel(PRACH). The PRACH carries a random access preamble.

There are several physical control channels used in the physical layer.A physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) informs the UE about theresource allocation of PCH and DL-SCH, and HARQ information related toDL-SCH. The PDCCH may carry the uplink scheduling grant which informsthe UE about resource allocation of uplink transmission. A physicalcontrol format indicator channel (PCFICH) informs the UE about thenumber of OFDM symbols used for the PDCCHs and is transmitted in everysubframe. A physical Hybrid ARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH) carries HARQACK/NAK signals in response to uplink transmissions. A physical uplinkcontrol channel (PUCCH) carries uplink control information such as HARQAC/NAK in response to downlink transmission, scheduling request andchannel quality indicator (CQI). The PUCCH is not transmittedsimultaneously with the PUSCH from the same UE.

In order to provide various types of services, at least one RB may beconfigured. The RB is a logical link provided by the first and secondlayers among radio protocols between the UE and the network. A logicalchannel is allocated to an RB. A plurality of logical channelscorresponding to a plurality of RBs are multiplexed and transmittedthrough one transport channel.

Each RB may have different logical channel priority (LCP) or equal LCP.Hereinafter, a method of transmitting data based on the LCP will bedescribed.

I. In Case of Different LCPs

When a plurality of RBs are multiplexed and transmitted through atransport channel, a MAC layer can determine amounts of transmissiondata of the RBs by using the following rules with respect to given radioresources whenever data is transmitted.

(1) Amounts of transmission data are determined in the descending orderof LCPs of the RBs. Data corresponding to the maximum prioritized bitrate (PBR) for each RB is determined as an amount of transmission data.

(2) In a case where radio resources remains, amounts of transmissiondata are determined in the descending order of the LCPs, again, withrespect to the multiplexed RBs.

For example, when the LCPs range from 1 to 8, it is assumed that 1 isthe highest priority and 8 is the lowest priority. The PBR is theminimum bit rate that is guaranteed by the RB. Even in a case where awireless environment is very poor, a wireless communication system needsto provide the minimum bit rate. The PBR may ranges from zero toinfinity.

An LCP and/or a PBR information of an RB are transmitted from an RRClayer of a network to an RRC layer of an UE through an RB configurationmessage when the RB is initially configured. The RRC layer of the UEwhich receives the RB configuration message configures a RB and sendsinformation on the LCP and the PBR of the RB to the MAC layer of the UE.The MAC layer that receives the information determines amounts oftransmission data of the RB according to the aforementioned rules withrespect to given radio resources for each transmission time interval(TTI). Hereinafter, the TTI is referred to as an interval to transmitdata through one transport channel.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a method of transmitting data withdifferent LCPs.

Referring to FIG. 10, three RBs RB1 to RB3 are multiplexed in onetransport channel. Here, it is assumed that LCP1 of the RB1 is 1, LCP2of the RB2 is 3, LCP3 of the RB3 is 5, BR1 of the RB1 is 300 bit/TTI,PBR2 of the RB2 is 400 bit/TTI, and PBR3 of the RB3 is 100 bit/TTI. Thesize of a transport block that is allocated to a transport channel is1700 bits. The size of the transport block is the size of radioresources allocated to the transport channel and may vary for each TTIaccording to channel condition.

A buffer occupancy BO1 of the RB1 is 700 bits, a buffer occupancy BO2 ofthe RB2 is 1500 bits, and a buffer occupancy BO3 of the RB3 is 600 bits.A buffer occupancy (BO) is an amount of a buffer currently occupied bydata. The occupied data can be divided into data corresponding to thePBR and the other data. Hereinafter, the data corresponding to the PBRamong BOs of the RBs is called as PBR data and the other data is calledas remaining data.

First, the MAC layer fills the transport block with the PBR data of RBsin the descending order of the LCPs with respect to given radioresources to the extent of the maximum PBR. In the example of FIG. 10,the LCP1 of the RB1 is the highest, the LCP2 of the RB2 is the nexthighest, and the LCP3 of the RB3 is the lowest. Thus, amounts oftransmission data are determined in the order of RB1, RB2 and RB3, tothe extent of the PBR. That is, the transport block is filled with 800bits of PBR data in the order of the PBR1 of the RB1 of 300 bits, thePBR2 of the RB2 of 400 bits, and the PBR3 of the RB3 of 100 bits.

Next, in a case where radio resources remain in the transport block, thetransport block is filled with the remaining data of the RBs in thedescending order of the LCPs. In the example of FIG. 10, since theamount of the data of the RBs is filled according to the PBRs is 800bits with respect to the transport block of the 1700 bits, extraresources of 900 bits remain. Accordingly, the transport block is filledwith remaining data in the descending order of the LCPs. That is, allthe remaining data of 400 bits of the RB 1 having the highest LCP arefirstly filled. Then, remaining data of the RB2 is filled with extraresources of 500 bits.

Finally, in this TTI, the determined amounts of transmission data of theRBs are RB1=700 bits, RB2=900 bits, and RB3=100 bits. The determinedtransmission data is carried by the one transport block.

The order of filling the transport block with data of RBs in thetransport block depends on an embodied method. In FIG. 10, the transportblock is filled with data according to a rule for determining amounts ofdata so as to show a method of determining amounts of data.

II. In Case of Equal LCPs

In a case where the RBs having equal LCPs are multiplexed, a method ofclear processing the RBs is needed. As a communication system has beendeveloped, a network has to concurrently provide a plurality of servicesto UEs. Thus, a plurality of RBs with equal priorities can beconfigured. If a method of efficiently processing the RBs having equalLCPs is not defined, quality of service for RBs cannot be guaranteed.Accordingly, it is necessary to efficiently determine amounts oftransmission data so that quality of service is not deteriorated even ina case where RBs having equal priorities are multiplexed.

When the RBs having equal LCPs are multiplexed, it is possible todetermine amounts of transmission data of the RBs in the followingmethod.

II-1. Equal Amount Allocation

It is possible to allocate equal amounts of transmission data to the RBswith equal LCPs. However, since PBRs are configured in the RBs, thereare two methods based on whether the PBR allocation is included or not.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method of allocating equal amounts of transmissiondata except PBR allocation. This means equal allocation of remainingresources after PBR allocation. First, amounts of transmission data areallocated to the extent of the PBRs of the RBs. The equal amounts oftransmission data are allocated to the RBs with respect to the remainingradio resources. Conditions of FIG. 11 are the same as those of FIG. 10except that the LCPs of the RB2 and the RB3 are 5's.

Referring to FIG. 11, first, amounts of transmission data are allocatedto the RBs in the descending order of the LCPs to the extent of thePBRs. That is, the RB1 allocates the PBR1 of 300 bits. Since the RB2 andthe RB3 have equal LCPs, the RB2 and the RB3 allocate the PBR2 of 400bits and the PBR3 of 100 bits in any order. In the example of FIG. 11,the amount of transmission data is firstly allocated to the RB2.However, since the LCPs of the RB2 and the RB3 are equal, the amount oftransmission data may be firstly allocated to the RB3.

Amounts of transmission data are firstly allocated to the extent of thePBRs of the RBs. When radio resources remains in the transport block,the remaining radio resources are allocated in the descending order ofthe LCPs. 800 bits of the transport block having 1700 bits are allocatedaccording to the PBRs of RBs, and 900 bits remain. Therefore, 400 bitsto which all the remaining data can be transmitted are allocated to theRB1 having the highest priority. Then, 250 bits are respectivelyallocated to the RB2 and the RB3 by equally dividing the remaining 500bits.

In this TTI, the determined amounts of transmission data of the RBs areRB1=700 bits, RB2=650 bits, and RB3=350 bits. The determinedtransmission data is carried by the one transport block.

The order of filling the transport block with data of the RBs depends onan embodied method. In FIG. 10, the transport block is filled with dataaccording to a rule for determining amounts of data so as to show amethod of determining amounts of data.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method of allocating equal amounts of transmissiondata including PBR allocation. This means equal allocation of totalresources including PBR allocation. In this method, entire amounts oftransmission data allocated to RBs having equal LCPs are the sameregardless of PBRs of the RBs. This condition is the same as that ofFIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 12, amounts of transmission data are allocated to RBsin the descending order of LCPs to the extent of the PBRs. That is, 300bits of PBR1 are allocated for the RB1. Since the RB2 and the RB3 haveequal LCPs, 400 bits of PBR2 for the RB2 and 100 bits of PBR3 for theRB3 are allocated arbitrarily.

Then, since radio resources of 900 bits remain, the remaining radioresources are allocated in the descending order of the LCPs. 400 bits towhich all the remaining data can be transmitted are allocated to the RB1having the highest priority. The remaining 500 bits are allocated to theRB2 and the RB3. In this time, 100 bits and 400 bits are allocatedrespectively to the RB2 and the RB3 so that the entire amounts oftransmission data of the RB2 and the RB3 are equal.

Finally, in this TTI, the determined amounts of transmission data of theRBs are RB1=700 bits, RB2=500 bits, and RB3=500 bits. The determinedtransmission data are carried by one transport block.

The order of filling the transport block with data of the RBs depends onan embodied method. In FIG. 10, the transport block is filled with dataaccording to a rule for determining amounts of data so as to show amethod of determining amounts of data.

II-2. Prioritization with New Criterion

If LCPs of RBs are equal, priorities of the RBs are not determined basedon the LCPs. The priorities may be determined based on a new criterion.A new criterion may be a buffer occupancy (BO), a PBR, a maximum bitrate (MBR), a buffer latency period of data, or a TTI. Various criteriamay be available.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method of enabling an RB having a lower PBR tohave a higher priority with respect to RBs having equal LCPs. That is,in the RBs having equal LCPs, PBRs are used instead of LCPs.

Referring to FIG. 13, first, the MAC layer determines that an RB havinga lower PBR has a higher priority by comparing PBRs of the RBs havingthe equal LCPs when RBs are configured. In the example of FIG. 13,although the LCPs of the RB2 and the RB3 are 5's, the PBR2 is 400 bits,and the PBR3 is 100 bits. Since the PBR3 is lower than the PBR2, the RB3has a higher priority than the RB2. After determining priorities of theRBs, amounts of transmission data are allocated.

First, amounts of transmission data are allocated to the RBs in thedescending order of priorities that are determined according to the LCPsor PBRs of the RBs. That is, 300 bits of the PBR1 are allocated to theRB1, 100 bits of the PBR3 are allocated to the RB3 having the nexthigher priority, and finally, 400 bits of the PBR2 are allocated to theRB2.

Then, since radio resources of 900 bits remain, the remaining radioresources are allocated in the descending order of priorities determinedaccording to the LCPs or PBRs. First, 400 bits to which all theremaining data can be transmitted are allocated to the RB1 having thehighest priority, and 500 bits to which all the remaining data can betransmitted are allocated to the RB3 having the next highest priority.Now, no more radio resource remains. Thus, an amount of transmissiondata is not allocated to the RB2 having the lowest priority.

Finally, in this TTI, the determined amounts of transmission data of theRBs are RB1=700 bits, RB2=400 bits, and RB3=600 bits. The determinedtransmission data is carried by the one transport block.

The order of filling the transport block with data of the RBs depends onan embodied method. In FIG. 10, the transport block is filled with dataaccording to a rule for determining amounts of data so as to show amethod of determining amounts of data.

Here, although priorities of the RBs having the equal LCP are determinedin the descending order of PBRs, priorities of the RBs may be determinedin the ascending order of PBRs. Selectively, priorities of the RBs maybe determined by using a new criterion such as a BO, an MBR, a bufferlatency period of data, and the like.

A criterion that is a PBR is used to determine priorities of RBs havingthe equal LCPs. Alternatively, various criteria or a combination ofvarious criteria may be used. For example, priorities of the RBs havingthe equal LCPs may be determined in the ascending order of BOs/PBRs. Ifthis criterion is applied to the example of FIG. 13, although the RB2and the RB3 have the equal LCPs, a BO/PBR of the RB3 is greater thanthat of the RB2. Accordingly, the RB3 has a higher priority than theRB2. For another example, a TTI can be a candidate for the criterion.For example, for 3 RBs having equal logical channel priorities, we canprioritize them cyclically based on transmission time, i.e. RB1>RB2>RB3for 1st TTI, RB2>RB3>RB1 for 2nd TTI, RB3>RB1>RB2 for 3rd TTI, and soon. An advantage of this method is that, whatever criterion is used, aUE can just consider one RB at a time. Thus, it can alleviate UE'scomplexity.

II-3. Method of Allocating Amounts of Transmission Data of RBs Accordingto a Ratio of a New Criterion by Configuring the New Criterion Insteadof the LCPs.

In this method, amounts of transmission data are allocated to the RBshaving the equal LCPs according to a ratio of a criterion. At this time,the amounts of transmission data may be allocated according to thecriterion such as a BO, a PBR, an MBR, a buffer latency period of data,a TTI, and the like. Various criteria may be available. Selectively, acombination of various criteria may be used. That is, various criteriasuch as a BO/PBR, an MBR/PBR, and the like may be available.

There are two methods based on whether the determined criterion appliedto allocation of amounts of transmission data includes PBR allocation orexcludes PBR allocation.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method of allocating amounts of transmission dataaccording to a ratio of a criterion except PBR allocation. First,amounts of transmission data are allocated to the extent of the PBRs ofthe RBs. The amounts of transmission data are allocated to the RBs withrespect to the remaining radio resources according to the ratio of thecriterion. Here, a BO is used as the criterion.

Referring to FIG. 14, amounts of transmission data are allocated to RBsin the descending order of LCPs to the extent of the PBRs. That is, 300bits of the PBR1 are allocated for the RB1. Since the RB2 and the RB3have equal LCPs, 400 bits of the PBR2 for the RB2 and 100 bits of thePBR3 for the RB3 are allocated in any order.

Amounts of transmission data are firstly allocated to the extent of thePBRs of the RBs. When radio resources remains, the remaining radioresources are allocated in the descending order of the LCPs. 800 bits ofthe transport block having 1700 bits are allocated according to the PBRsof RBs, and 900 bits remain. Therefore, 400 bits to which all theremaining data can be transmitted are allocated to the RB1 having thehighest priority. Then, remaining 500 bits are allocated to the RB2 andthe RB3. At this time, since the LCPs of the RB2 and the RB3 are equal,extra radio resources of 500 bits are allocated to the RB2 and the RB3according to a ratio of BOs except the PBR allocation. That is, the RB2has 1100 bits except the PBR2 among 1500 bits, and the RB3 has 500 bitsexcept the PBR3 among 600 bits. Thus, a ratio of amounts of transmissiondata is 1100:500. When this ratio is applied to 500 bits, 344 bits and156 bits are respectively allocated to the RB2 and the RB3.

Finally, in this TTI, the determined amounts of transmission data of theRBs are RB1=700 bits, RB2=744 bits, and RB3=256 bits. The determinedtransmission data are carried by the one transport block.

The order of filling the transport block with data of RBs depends on anembodied method. In FIG. 10, the transport block is filled with dataaccording to a rule for determining amounts of data so as to show amethod of determining amounts of data.

FIG. 15 illustrates a method of allocating amounts of transmission dataaccording to a ratio of a criterion including PBR allocation. In thismethod, amounts of transmission data are allocated to the RBs having theequal LCPs according to a ratio of the criterion regardless of PBRs. ABO is used as the criterion.

Referring to FIG. 15, amounts of transmission data are allocated to RBsin the descending order of LCPs to the extent of the PBRs. That is, 300bits of PBR1 are allocated for the RB1. Since the RB2 and the RB3 hasequal LCPs, 400 bits of the PBR2 for the RB2 and 100 bits of the PBR3for the RB3 are allocated in any order. Then, since radio resources of900 bits remain, the remaining radio resources are allocated in thedescending order of LCPs.

First, 400 bits to which all the remaining data can be transmitted areallocated to the RB1 having the highest priority, and remaining 500 bitsare allocated to the RB2 and the RB3. At this time, the amounts oftransmission data are allocated to the RB2 and the RB3 according to aratio of the BOs. The entire radio resources which can be used by theRB2 and the RB3 are 1000 bits including 500 bits allocated to the PBRs.When the radio resources are divided according to a ratio of 1500:600,the amounts of transmission data of the RB2 and the RB3 are 714 bits and286 bits, respectively. When the already allocated PBR1 of 400 bits andPBR2 of 100 bits are excluded, amounts allocated to the remaining 500bits are 314 bits and 186 bits, respectively.

Finally, in this TTI, the determined amount of transmission data of theRBs are RB1=700 bits, RB2=714 bits, and RB3=286 bits. The determinedtransmission data are carried by the one transport block.

The order of filling the transport block with data of the RBs depends onan embodied method. In FIG. 10, the transport block is filled with dataaccording to a rule for determining amounts of data so as to show amethod of determining amounts of data.

Every function as described above can be performed by a processor suchas a micro-processor based on software coded to perform such function, aprogram code, etc., a controller, a micro-controller, an ASIC(Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like. Planning,developing and implementing such codes may be obvious for the skilledperson in the art based on the description of the present invention.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosedfor illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatvarious modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the embodimentsof the present invention are not limited to the above-describedembodiments but are defined by the claims which follow, along with theirfull scope of equivalents.

1. In a wireless telecommunication system, a method of allocating radioresources for each of a plurality of logical channels, wherein each ofthe logical channels has a corresponding priority, the methodcomprising: receiving at least one signal which defines a prioritycorresponding to each of the logical channels; allocating radioresources for a first amount of data associated with each of the logicalchannels, wherein the allocation of radio resources is based on thepriority corresponding to each of the logical channels; and allocatingremaining radio resources for a second amount of data associated witheach of two or more of the logical channels, the two or more logicalchannels, wherein the second amount of data associated with each of thetwo or more logical channels is in addition to the first amount of dataassociated with each of the two or more logical channels, wherein thetwo or more logical channels have the same priority, and wherein theremaining radio resources are allocated equally for the two or morelogical channels.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:allocating remaining radio resources for a second amount of dataassociated with one or more of the logical channels other than the twoor more logical channels, the allocation of remaining radio resourcesfor the second amount of data associated with the one or more logicalchannels occurring before the allocation of remaining radio resourcesfor the second amount of data associated with the two or more logicalchannels, wherein each of the one or more logical channels has acorresponding priority that is higher than the priority corresponding toeach of the two or more logical channels.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the first amount of data associated with each of the logicalchannels is a minimum amount of data to be allocated for each of theplurality of logical channels, and wherein the minimum amount of data tobe allocated for each of the plurality of the logical channels is basedon a prioritized bit rate (PBR) for each of the plurality of logicalchannels.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the wirelesstelecommunication system employs a radio interface protocol architecturethat includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and wherein theminimum amount of data for each of the plurality of logical channels isdetermined by information received from the RRC layer.
 5. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the minimum amount of data for each of the plurality oflogical channels is associated with a corresponding radio bearer (RB).6. The method of claim 3, wherein allocating radio resources based onthe priority corresponding to each of the logical channels comprises:allocating the minimum amount of data for each of the plurality oflogical channels in order of the priority corresponding to each of theplurality of logical channels.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein thewireless telecommunication system employs a radio interface protocolarchitecture that includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, andwherein the priority corresponding to each of the plurality of logicalchannels is determined by information received from the RRC layer. 8.The method of claim 3, wherein the wireless telecommunication systememploys a radio interface protocol architecture that includes a mediumaccess control (MAC) layer, and wherein the radio resources and theremaining radio resources are allocated by the MAC layer.
 9. The methodof claim 8 further comprising: transmitting the minimum amount of dataand the second amount of data from the MAC layer to a lower layer. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein the lower layer is a physical (PHY)layer.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising: multiplexing theminimum amount of data and the second amount of data onto a transportblock, wherein transmitting the minimum amount of data and the secondamount of data comprises transmitting the transport block over atransport channel to the PHY layer.
 12. The method of claim 9, whereintransmitting the minimum amount of data and the second amount of datafrom the MAC layer to a lower layer of the radio interface protocolcomprises: transmitting the minimum amount of data and the second amountof data in a transmission time interval (TTI).
 13. The method of claim 1further comprising: allocating the radio resources and the remainingradio resources to a transport channel.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein the radio resources and the remaining radio resources areassociated with a transport block (TB).
 15. In a wirelesstelecommunication system, an apparatus that allocates radio resourcesfor each of a plurality of logical channels, wherein each of the logicalchannels has a corresponding priority, the apparatus comprising: meansfor allocating radio resources for a first amount of data associatedwith each of the logical channels, wherein said means for allocatingradio resources for the first amount of data associated with each of thelogical channels allocates the radio resources based on the prioritycorresponding to each of the logical channels; and means for allocatingremaining radio resources for a second amount of data associated witheach of two or more of the logical channels, wherein the second amountof data associated with each of the two or more logical channels is inaddition to the first amount of data associated with each of the two ormore logical channels, wherein the two or more logical channels have thesame priority, and wherein said means for allocating the remaining radioresources allocates the remaining radio resources equally for the two ormore logical channels.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:means for allocating remaining radio resources for a second amount ofdata associated with one or more of the logical channels other than thetwo or more logical channels, the allocation of remaining radioresources for the second amount of data associated with the one or morelogical channels occurring before the allocation of remaining radioresources for the second amount of data associated with the two or morelogical channels, wherein each of the one or more logical channels has acorresponding priority that is higher than the priority corresponding toeach of the two or more logical channels.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the first amount of data associated with each of the logicalchannels is a minimum amount of data to be allocated for each of theplurality of logical channels, and wherein the minimum amount of data tobe allocated for each of the plurality of the logical channels is basedon a prioritized bit rate (PBR) for each of the plurality of logicalchannels.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wirelesstelecommunication system employs a radio interface protocol architecturethat includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and wherein theminimum amount of data for each of the plurality of logical channels isdetermined by information received from the RRC layer.
 19. The apparatusof claim 17, wherein the minimum amount of data for each of theplurality of logical channels is associated with a corresponding radiobearer (RB).
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said means forallocating radio resources based on the priority corresponding to eachof the logical channels comprises: means for allocating the minimumamount of data for each of the plurality of logical channels in order ofthe priority corresponding to each of the plurality of logical channels.21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless telecommunicationsystem employs a radio interface protocol architecture that includes aradio resource control (RRC) layer, and wherein the prioritycorresponding to each of the plurality of logical channels is determinedby information received from the RRC layer.
 22. The apparatus of claim17, wherein the wireless telecommunication system employs a radiointerface protocol architecture that includes a medium access control(MAC) layer, and wherein said means for allocating the radio resourcesand said means for allocating the remaining radio resources areassociated with the MAC layer.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 furthercomprising: means for transmitting the minimum amount of data and thesecond amount of data from the MAC layer to a lower layer.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 23, wherein the lower layer is a physical (PHY)layer.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising: means formultiplexing the minimum amount of data and the second amount of dataonto a transport block, wherein said means for transmitting the minimumamount of data and the second amount of data comprises means fortransmitting the transport block over a transport channel to the PHYlayer.
 26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said means fortransmitting the minimum amount of data and the second amount of datafrom the MAC layer to a lower layer of the radio interface protocolcomprises: means for transmitting the minimum amount of data and thesecond amount of data in a transmission time interval (TTI).
 27. Theapparatus of claim 15 further comprising: means for allocating the radioresources and the remaining radio resources to a transport channel. 28.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the radio resources and the remainingradio resources are associated with a transport block (TB).